Gavin Rich's preview centres on one tactical warning: Scotland's most dangerous weapon is momentum built through fast starts, as they demonstrated against both England (tries in the 10th and 14th minutes) and France (first score inside six minutes) during the Six Nations. If the Scots get ahead early at altitude, the Boks' rotational bench-heavy gameplan could be exposed before the cavalry arrives. Rich identifies Russell and Tuipulotu as the axes around which that wide, quick-ruck game will be built, with Kyle Steyn an additional threat out wide.
That said, Rich backs Rassie's 10-change selection as a genuine test of squad depth rather than a gamble — and finds it hard to pinpoint where Scotland actually have a better combination. The piece also draws a useful URC throughline: the Bulls pack dismantled Glasgow after the 20th minute at Murrayfield, and the broader Scottish record on South African soil (seven Tests, zero wins, outscored two-to-one) suggests that if the Boks absorb the early pressure, the altitude and attrition will do their slow work. Prediction: Boks by 15–20.